* Gold hallmark
The 875 hallmark: meaning, purity & value
21-karat gold (87.5%). Standard in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and broader Gulf region. Compromise between K22 softness and K18 alloy-feel.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Metal
- Gold
- Purity
- 87.5%
- Fineness
- 875/1000
- Karat
- 21K
- Common regions
- ME
- Density
- 17 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 970 °C
- Standard
- ISO 9202
Stamps that mean the same thing
This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: 875 / 21K / 21ct. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.
What 875 tells you
21-karat gold (87.5%). Standard in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and broader Gulf region. Compromise between K22 softness and K18 alloy-feel.
How to value it
The melt value of a 875 piece is gold spot price × 0.875 × weight (g). A buyer typically deducts 5–15% for assay, refining, and margin, so the cash offer lands just under that figure. Stones and complex settings are usually excluded from the metal weight.
How to check it yourself
- Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
- Confirm the mark reads 875 or an equivalent such as 21K.
- Weigh the piece and estimate its volume — the density should land near 17 g/cm³ for this alloy.
- Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
- For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.
Sources
- Dubai Central Laboratory
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Is 875 the same as 21K?
- A. Yes. 875, 21K, 21ct all denote the same material — 87.5% gold. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
- Q. How much is 875 worth?
- A. Its melt value is the gold spot price × 0.875 × the weight in grams. Buyers then deduct roughly 5–15% for refining and margin, so a quoted buy-back price sits a little below that theoretical figure.
- Q. How do I confirm a 875 stamp is genuine?
- A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density (17 g/cm³ for this alloy), scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.
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